Do you know the difference between these two sentences?

  • Next year, scientists will research new types of AI.

  • Next year, scientists will be researching new types of AI.

The inside of a computer. Photo by Random Thinking on Unsplash

The difference is that the first one is simple future and the second is future progressive (also known as future continuous).

Using the future of AI as an example, let's see how the future progressive tense works in sentences.

Meaning and Form

The future progressive tense is used to talk about events in the future that happen over a period of time.

A calendar flipping through its pages.

The future progressive tense is different from the simple future tense, when an event happens once and is finished.

You can recognize the future progressive tense because you'll see "will be" plus a verb ending in -ing.

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Compare the two sentences from earlier:

Next year, scientists will research new types of AI.

  • The research will only happen next year.

  • The research will finish next year.

  • The word "be" doesn't appear and the verb (research) doesn't end in "-ing".

Next year, scientists will be researching new types of AI.

  • The research may start before next year and may end after next year.

  • The research won't be finished after next year.

  • The word "be" appears before the verb (research) and the verb ends in "-ing"

Continuing actions like this are a common use for the future progressive tense.

Quiz

Which of these sentences uses the future progressive tense?

Continuing Actions

The future progressive tense describes actions that take a long time to complete. In some cases, it's possible to use either the future simple tense or the future progressive.

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Happens once, or the time isn't important (future simple)

  1. AI will transform how we use technology.

  2. AI will help doctors heal illnesses.

  3. AI will change many industries.

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Happens over a period of time (future progressive)

  1. AI will be transforming how we use technology.

  2. AI will be helping doctors heal illnesses.

  3. AI will be changing many industries.

You can add time words to clarify that the event is happening over a period of time.

For example:

  • I will be studying how to use AI all day tomorrow.

  • People will be learning the best way to use AI for many years.

  • AI programs will be changing frequently in the near future.

A computer with coding on the screen. Photo by Lewis Kang'ethe Ngugi on Unsplash

Quiz

You want to talk about your school's 4-month plan to update their website using new AI tools. You start with, "Over the next four months..." How can you finish the sentence? Select all answers that apply:

Two Events Happening at Once

Another important use of the future progressive tense is to show that two events in the future happen at the same time.

To do this, connect the two events with a word like while or when and write the other event in the present simple tense.

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  • We will be upgrading to the new AI when we have the money.

  • We will be using the old software while we wait.

  • We will be deleting the old software when we don't need it anymore.

Image showing code on a computer screen. Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Quiz

Finish this sentence: The accountants will be doing other work when their AI

Take Action

A futuristic robot playing the piano. Photo by Possessed Photography on Unsplash

Use what you've learned about the future progressive tense to talk about your opinion on the future of AI and other technologies.

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